(London, Ontario) – The Fanshawe Falcons Men's Volleyball team took the road on Thursday evening for an OCAA first round playoff game versus the Mohawk Mountaineers in Hamilton.
The Falcons (5-5, 5th in West) dropped a 3-1 contest to Mohawk (7-3, 4th in West) that ended their playoff hopes.
Fanshawe came out flying in the first set, taking an early 8-2 lead with an Evan West (London, ON) kill and block. Mohawk regrouped, but a well-placed tip from Matthew Stokes (Dover Centre, ON) kept the Birds ahead midway through the set. Unfortunately, the Mountaineers would end the frame on a run and take set one 25-23.
Fanshawe came ready to compete in the second set. The Falcons had consecutive kills from their rookie outside hitters Tanner Paterson (Baden, ON) and Jack Voght (Ottawa, ON) to give them a 14-9 advantage. The Birds continued their strong play throughout the frame with a block from Elliott Leslie (London, ON) and Fanshawe went on to win set two 25-20.
In a back-and-forth third frame, the Falcons and Mountaineers exchanged points. Daniel Ridings (St. Catharines, ON) had a strong hit for Fanshawe. Mohawk then went on a 4-0 run mid-set and the Falcons could not bounce back. Mohawk won the third set 25-22.
Mohawk picked up where they left off in the fourth frame and jumped out to a 7-0 lead. The Falcons struggled to get things going and the Mountaineers extended their lead. Kills from Paterson and Leslie put some points on the board for the red and white, but it would not be enough. Fanshawe fell 25-19 to conclude their season with a 3-1 playoff loss. Ridings had a team-high 17 points in the match.
– 30 –